The delegates at the 2010 IAFF Convention sent a clear message - the IAFF logo is to go on United States and Canadian union-made clothing and merchandise only. Delegates also asked for a place on the IAFF web site where our members could go to find union-made goods and services and information on anti-union companies.  For example, say you wanted to drink union-made beer one evening while sitting at home watching a game on t.v.  In the near future you will be able to go to ... [More]

We have produced a compelling new video that illustrates the barrage of negative media that fire fighters are facing. General President Schaitberger premiered the video this morning during the general session of the 50th IAFF Convention in San Diego. The video is brief, but it accurately represents the prevailing tone of the talking heads who find it easy to blame fire fighters [and all public employees, for that matter] for the economic problems that towns and cities acros... [More]

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger today told delegates the IAFF will remain on the frontlines for the 298,000 fire fighters in the U.S. and Canada who continue to face pressure at home from public officials who are trying to decimate wages and pensions and using the recession as cover to attack first responders. “I want everyone who has tried to destroy what we’ve built for our members know that you may knock us down a time or two but you will never knock us out," the ... [More]

We received the following message from MSgt Robert Sisk, USAF, regarding the Opening Ceremony this morning for the IAFF 50th Convention:First off, THANK YOU so much for inviting the military to participate in this wonderful event. I can only speak for myself but I for one was very moved, proud and touched to have been a part of it all. The whole thing was simply amazing. Thanks again for inviting us to participate. -- v/r MSgt Robert L. Sisk USAF / Calif Air Nat'l Guard. See more Convention... [More]

San Diego city officials and media played fire fighters for a day Saturday, August 21, and got a hands-on feel for what first responders go through every day. This Fire Ops demonstration took place on the grounds of the San Diego Fire Department Training Academy and was hosted by San Diego City Local 145. Some 20 city officials and members of the press donned personal protective equipment and engaged in several simulated emergency scenarios, including fire attack, forcible entry and search ... [More]

Wow! This is an extremely well done study. Not only does it address efficiency (similar to the wildland hose lay study the IAFF and Los Angeles County did for NFPA 10 years ago), but it establishes the physiological stress issues very clearly by crew size with very significant peak heart rates for all understaffed crews. This will help with our PSOB efforts for wildland fire fighters and our legislative efforts for presumption for federal fire fighters). And, probably for the first time, it addr... [More]

As threats to fire fighter pensions continue, it’s not just local pension plans that are threatened. State legislators are beginning to challenge one of the ironclad tenets of public pension policy… the tenet that says states cannot legally reduce pension benefits for current and future retirees. History is on the employees’ side as many state statutes, constitutions and case law consistently define a public pension as a contract between the state and its employees. However, s... [More]

Fire fighters in Canada are expanding the value and service they provide to their communities. Members of Surrey, BC Local 1271 are trained to spot and report signs of human trafficking, a growing problem in Canada - and around the world. This article appeared in Fire Fighting in Canada and online to raise awareness about these crimes, which include domestic servitude and forced labor. IAFF 6th District Vice President Lorne West is quoted: "The feedback I'm hearing from the average fire fighter ... [More]

The Senate confirmed Kagan.  No real surprise there.

A new study by CareerCast, an Internet job board, ranks fire fighter as the most stressful job of 2010, followed by senior corporate executive, taxi driver, surgeon, commercial pilot, public relations executive, advertising account executive and real estate agent. The study assessed more than 200 professions using five core criteria: environment, income, outlook, stress and physical demands to identify the most and least stressful jobs. According to researchers, the economy, having to work harde... [More]